The Desert Medics of 3rd Medical Command Deployment Support provided compassionate, quality healthcare to the medically under-served population in the mountains of Appalachia.
Various communities throughout Wise County, Va. and surrounding areas to include parts of Kentucky and Tennessee received medical, dental, veterinary and ophthalmological treatment at no cost from May 14-27.
Local resident and former coal miner with no health benefits, Robert Owens, said he has struggled with insurance since he left his job in the mines following an accident that left him disabled.
“I don't have any dental care, I don't have any eye care and what few prescriptions you do get, you just can’t pay much on it,” Owens said.
Appalachia IRT provided Owens and other people in the surrounding area an opportunity to receive critical healthcare at no cost.
According to the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, "Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) produces military readiness while simultaneously providing quality services to communities throughout the United States. The Military Services have always brought to bear their resources to help meet some of the country's civil needs. With IRT, the Department of Defense (DoD) realizes simultaneous benefits for military training and readiness."
Reserve Soldiers from the 804th Medical Brigade's 399th Combat Support Hospital, 456th Area Support Medical Command, 455th Dental Company and 169th Veterinary Detachment joined forces with the 24th and 165th Optometry Detachments from Fort Bragg, N.C. to provide over 3,000 total services.
3rd Medical Command Deployment Support is a senior deployable medical command and control headquarters, providing support to U.S. Army Africa and U.S. Army Central areas of operation. The division provides support and technical supervision for more than 7,500 soldiers and civilians located in 21 states and Puerto Rico to prepare and provide trained soldiers and units to conduct missions in the most capable, combat ready and lethal U.S. Army Reserve force in American history. Capabilities include health care specialists, X-ray technicians, ophthalmology, nurses, physician assistants, physicians, dentists, surgeons, and veterinarians.